Toilet training is never going to rate as one the more fun aspects of being a parent. Add moving vehicles, strange bathrooms and dodgy public amenities and it might be enough to drive you potty.

Toilet training can be a tough enough time for parent and child without adding in moving vehicles, strange bathrooms and unpleasant public amenities, but the good news is that there are plenty of ways to keep your toilet training tot on track in transit.

Let’s be honest. It’s never going to rate as one the more fun aspects of being a parent. Trust me I’m knee deep in it (for the second time) as we speak. And, while it is an unavoidable process, it doesn’t have to mean undergoing self-enforced incarceration for the duration.

Even pooped (if you’ll excuse the pun) parents with toddlers have places to go and people to see and that may even mean boarding the occasional plane, train or automobile. Regardless of how you get to your destination, at some point your toddler needs to learn how to use a toilet on the way.

Learning to use the toilet is pretty hard for a little one to master in the first instance and it’s easy for tots to get overwhelmed. Add travel to the mix, with so many new things to see and do, and they can be easily distracted so there are bound to be more accidents as a result and mum and dad need a little patience and understanding.

Useful tools

Most experts agree that if you have just started toilet training or are having any hiccups, stopping temporarily is a far less stressful solution for everyone involved than persevering in new environments. However, if things are progressing well, easily the best way to make toilet training on the go as painless as possible is to invest in a travel potty. There are some great inexpensive and extremely portable options on the market which will make life on the road so much easier. We’re finding the Potette Plus fabulous as it can be used anywhere and anytime and out toddler has become familiar with it which helps her feel more comfortable.

Dressing your child in simple, easy to remove clothes is advisable, as is carrying a change of clothes and plenty of wipes, which no smart parent leaves home without anyway. Pull up training nappies are another wise investment. That way, if the kids do have an accident in transit, it won’t be awkward or embarrassing for them – helping to avoid setbacks in sensitive kids.

Map it out

If you are planning on travelling with a toilet training toddler, it is important to get kids accustomed to using public amenities. If you’re travelling in the car, make sure your tot uses the potty immediately before and after departure. Plus it’s vital to plan and make plenty of stops. The National Public Toilet Map, www.toiletmap.gov.au, shows the location of more than 14,000 public toilet facilities which can assist in planning your journey. And, while it’s a great idea to teach your children to recognise toilet signs and to remind parents when they need to stop, you should still check in with them every half an hour or so and keep an eye on their fluid intake.

Most importantly, mum and dad need to be as understanding while they’re out as they are when at home and be sure not to make too much of a fuss over accidents. With patience and a little planning, you’re little one will be feeling flushed with success in no time!

Top tips for trauma free toilet training in transit.

• Make sure your tot goes before you go - Sensible advice for anyone really, regardless of your age.
• Take plenty of breaks – Stop along the way to stretch out and visit the restroom, even if they don’t need to go.
• Be sure to carry a portable potty - Kids often prefer to use something they are familiar with.
• Carry plenty of tissues and wipes – You may not be near a restroom when your child needs to go.
• Carry a change (or three) of clothes – Be prepared for accidents to happen and don’t make too much fuss if they do.
• Pack training nappies – Just in case.